Since George was often ill, he spent much of this month guarding prisoners – a duty assigned to those who were convalescing or too sick to go out and forage for food. Boats were sent on the Mississippi to find food for the troops and mules for them to ride or use for carrying objects.

Again, George feels blue as he mentions those who have been lucky enough to go home on furloughs. Know he wishes he was one of them.

The T.D. Horner ramboat continued to roam the Mississippi River even after the Civil War. It was used by the government as a merchant ship until New Year’s Day in 1868 when it hit a bridge in Louisville, Kentucky and had severe damage.

Here is the entry from his diary written with spelling corrected for easier reading. Below it you will find the original entry exactly as it was written.

Sunday, November 1, 1863

There were two companies that went aboard the Horner with two days’ rations. They went down the river to capture some hogs and mules. The battery went out on a scout at Griffith’s Landing. Lieutenant Simon I. Swearingen and Poatten report back to their companies. They have been home on furloughs.

Sunday. November. 1^st. 1863.

There was two companys went aboard of the horner with two days ration and went down the river to captur some hogs and mules. The battery went out on ascout at Griffits Landing Lieu Simon I. Sweringer & Poatten reportes back to their companys they being home on furloughs.

Life in the Mississippi Marine Brigade – The Civil War Diary of George Painter can be purchased on Amazon or eBay or by contacting the author. It makes a great Christmas gift for Civil War fans.